#1 Tree Removal & Trimming Service Provider
in Tampa
Stump Grinding in Tampa, FL
Tampa Elite Tree Service grinds oak, pine and palm stumps in Tampa below grade so you can mow, lay sod or plant again. We handle stumps left by our own removals and stumps someone else left behind years ago.
Our ground is mostly sand, which is easy to grind but settles as wood chips break down in the heat and summer rain. That is why we pull most of the chips out, fill the hole with clean soil, and leave it slightly mounded. Palm stumps get extra care, because Ganoderma butt rot lives on in the soil and the old roots.
Grinding crews work all over the county and just past it: Riverview, Ruskin, Apollo Beach, Brandon, Seffner, Plant City, Westchase, Town 'n' Country, Wesley Chapel and Land O' Lakes, & more. Once the stump is gone, consider one of the best wind-resistant trees to plant in Tampa yards for the open spot.
Why Choose Us
- Licensed and insured for hazardous removals and complex jobs
- Decades of combined crew experience
- Free, transparent estimates before any work begins
- Full-service: removal, pruning, stump grinding, and storm cleanup
- Local knowledge of Tampa's soil conditions, storm patterns, and tree species
- Modern, well-maintained equipment for safe, efficient jobs
Get a Quote.
Stump Grinding Services
Stump Grinding After Removal
When we take a tree down, grinding the stump the same day saves you a second trip charge and leaves the yard finished. Most stumps are ground several inches below the soil line, deeper where you plan to plant.
Fresh oak stumps grind cleanly. Older stumps that have softened in our humidity go even faster, though they often hide termite galleries and fire ant mounds we clear out along the way.
Palm Stumps & Ganoderma
Ganoderma zonatum attacks every palm species and has no cure. UF guidance is to grind or remove the stump and as much of the root mass as possible to cut down on spores, and not to replant a palm in the same spot.
We grind palm stumps wide and deep, bag the infected material when needed, and suggest a non-palm replacement.
Tight Backyard Access
Many Tampa backyards sit behind a narrow gate, a fence line or a screened pool enclosure. Our compact grinder fits through standard gates and runs on tracks that do little damage to lawns.
We lay plywood over soft turf and shield screens and windows from flying chips.
Backfill & Sod Prep
Leaving a pile of chips in a Florida stump hole invites settling, fungus and termite-friendly debris next to the house. We pull most chips, backfill with screened soil, and rake it level and ready for St. Augustine or Zoysia plugs.
If you want the chips for mulch, we leave them in a pile wherever you like.
Multiple Stump Jobs
New owners in older Tampa neighborhoods often find a yard dotted with forgotten stumps, and lots that were cleared for a pool or addition can hold a dozen. We price these as one job.
On larger parcels, grinding can pair with land clearing so the site is ready to build or plant.
Full Stump Extraction
When you are pouring a slab, setting footers or building a pool exactly where the tree stood, grinding may not be enough. We dig out the stump and the main roots instead.
Extraction usually runs $350 to $750 per stump, depending on size and access.
Our Stump Grinding Process
Underground lines are the main risk in stump work. In Hillsborough County yards that means irrigation, gas, cable and fiber, and sometimes a buried electric service. Every grind starts with a utility check.
1. Measure & Quote
We measure each stump across its widest point at ground level and note surface roots, slope and access. You get a written quote per stump.
2. Sunshine 811 Locate
Florida law requires notice to Sunshine 811 at least two full business days before digging. We file the ticket and wait for the paint and flags, then keep the grinder clear of the 24-inch tolerance zone on each side of a marked line.
3. Grinding Below Grade
The grinder works the stump down below the soil surface and chases the larger surface roots outward. We check for rocks, concrete and old fence posts as we go. Near a seawall, septic drain field or pool shell, we slow down and grind in shallow passes so nothing underneath gets disturbed.
4. Chip Removal & Backfill
Chips are pulled from the hole, clean soil goes in, and it is tamped and left slightly high to allow for settling.
5. Final Cleanup
Walks, drives and beds are blown off, and we take a final look with you before we leave.
Stump Grinding FAQs for Tampa Yards
How much does stump grinding cost in Tampa?
Most stumps run $100 to $400 each, or about $3 to $6 per inch of diameter. A 30-inch oak stump, for example, works out to roughly $90 to $180 at that rate, though our minimum per stump applies on small jobs.
How deep do you grind?
Several inches below grade for sod, deeper where you plan to plant a tree or shrub. Tell us your plans and we set the depth to match.
Can I plant a new palm where an old one died?
Not if Ganoderma killed it. The fungus survives in the soil, so UF recommends planting a different kind of tree or shrub in that spot. If lethal bronzing was the cause, the soil is not the problem, but the insect that spreads it may still be nearby, so we suggest a resistant species.
Will the hole sink later?
Some settling is normal in sandy soil, especially after heavy summer rain. Removing chips and backfilling with soil keeps it small, and we can come back and top it off if needed.
Can you grind surface roots too?
Yes. Laurel and live oak roots often run along the top of sandy lawns. We grind exposed roots back to a point where they no longer trip mowers, while avoiding major roots of trees you are keeping.
Is stump grinding included with tree removal?
It is priced separately so you can choose. Many customers add it to the removal estimate, since doing both in one visit costs less than two trips.